(Circular)  to  t 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #192 


Confederate  States  of  America, 

SUBSPSTENCE  DEPARTMENT, 

Richmond,  February  20,  1865. 

To  the  Officers  of  the  Subsistence  Department,  Confederate  States  : 

In  assuming  tlie  duties  of  Commissary  General,  I  call  for 
a  very  active  co-operation  from  every  oflScer  of  the  Subsistence  Depart- 
ment. 

Our  military  reverses  have  not  diminished  the  difficulties  of  supply — 
but  on  that  account  the  greater  the  necessity  for  effort  and  the  greater 
the  pride  of  success. 

Embarrassed  finances  and  interrupted  communications  do  not  take 
from  the  military  difficulties — but  therefore  the  greater  the  necessity  for 
patriotic  appeals  to  a  people  who  have  never  yet  refused  when  properly 
approached. 

The  popular  misappreciation  of  the  Commissary  service,  so  often  the 
excuse  of  the  indifferent,  may  not  tend  to  incite  the  deserving  officer  to 
redoubled  efforts:  yet  that  effort  must  be  made,  and  with  redoubled  zeal, 
tact,  patience  and  judgment.  Officers  of  this  all-important  service  can 
make  it  respected  in  defiance  of  present  public  sentiment,  and  they  will 
be  expected  to  do  so. 

In  the  same  spirit,  therefore,  that  their  Head  undertakes  a  charge  so  re- 
sponsible, will  every  officer,  agent  and  subordinate  be  expected  to  act 
and  to  work.     Lot  all  resolve  that  our  armies  must  and  shall  be  fed. 

X  M.  ST.  JOHN, 

Commissary  General. 


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Hollinger  Corp. 
pH8.5 


